Rut behavior question.

[AZWALKER]

I've got a spot down here in the AZ desert that I've been hunting for a couple years now. I was out setting up a trail cam on some heavily used trails and I found a really good rub line. This buck has rubbed about 8 different trees in a line about 200 yds long. Its on top of a small mesa and it looks like he's hitting it fairly frequently.

Heres my question: Will he continue to use these rubs throughout the rut or is this just pre-rut activity? I figured he would abandon these rubs once the does come in and start wandering more. I've set my trailcam up on the rub he's hitting the hardest and I'm gonna give it a couple more days till I pull it.

I also used some doe in estrus scent around where he's been rubbing to maybe get a good picture of him.

Here's another question: Should I continue with my plan to hunt spot and stalk or should I maybe set up a ground blind near 1 of his rubs???

Anyway, any feedback would be greatly appriciated.

Thanx guys

Donnie

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

Don, bucks will continue rubbing through the post-rut into December. The key with a buck like that is that he is marking his territory, since he's already in winter range even if he stops using the rubs as much you'll still find him in that same area through the winter. -Dman

 

[cheeseheadinOHIO]

AZWalker - I'm probably a bad source of info on mule deer but have hunted whitetail bow/gun for 25 years. From what I've seen, they seem to be similar between speicies.
My first thoughts were:
1) Size of the tree indicates the maturity/size of the buck.(trailcam already did that for you)
2) Scrapes are checked by bucks in pre-rut, where as rubs are just made in travels and usually not revisited.
3) Once in true rut, they'll go wherever the hot doe goes.
4) A sudden ground blind in a deer's home area will be noticed and mayu spook him. Can you get up in a tree?
I'm sure others will have good avice too. Good luck.

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

-Cheese, just curious, used to live in Beavercreek a long time ago (27yrs). I bet it's changed? Your pretty much right on there with comments. The main thing that really varies per area is rut timing. Here in Wa. our rut is generally over by Dec. 1, although some post-rut will continue through the month. I know other areas are quite earlier, or later. There is one very purposeful thing though with the rubs. The main goal of the buck in rubbing is rubbing scent from a scent gland on the top of the head on the tree, in essence marking their distinct own scent on the fringes of their territory during the rut.

 

[AZWALKER]

Well its kinda tough because down here we don't have too many big tree's, big enough for a tree stand anyway. He's hitting the same type and same size tree's.... actually they're bushes. I've been watching the area for about a week or so and he's returned at least three since I first noticed the rubs. I think because of the sign I'm seeing he's rubbing in an area that doe's are frequenting and there may be more than 1 buck in there. Its tough because the ground is so hard that they don't actually leave footprints and its so dry here that the scat they are dropping dry's out very quickly so theres really no way to age it. I'll tell you what though, I'm gonna figure these Desert Muleys out, then get your fingers ready to click on some good pictures!!!!

Donnie

 

[cheeseheadinOHIO]

Dman - I'm up in Sandusky so if it's the same Beavercreek, that's always heard of at the Cleveland boat show, so it must not be too far from here. I have lived in OH for about 13 years but don't know the whole state too well. Bet it has change a ton in 27 years. Changed a lot since I got here. Cedar point changes quite a bit.
On to deer... that is an amazing part of the rut. Different locations = different times of the year. Many people thought it was brought on with cold weather. I believe it is the amount of daylight. Not sure why furhter south it is later. Seems that most areas as far north as WI, WY and OH seem to be mid Nov. THen a small follow up rut a month later when some does re-cycle into estrus. Have seen bucks rub eye glands on branches over scrapes. Must be hard detecting fresh sign in AZ.
I wish I live where the mulies are. I've got two bucks so far but no mounters. Good hunting.